Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Nobody is perfect. Through the scandalous
family lies that bind them all together the Shaw women have survived. Four
generations of women have tackled ups and downs: now, Annette is perfectly
comfortable wither life. Charlene has tasted the bittersweet notes of success.
Raven is preparing for the wedding of a century, and a life rich in love
afterward. Beautiful, young Royael has all the pleasures of a princess…

While Dallas is in uproar over a gruesome
rape-homicide, a lead Detective transforms into the ultimate stalker. A hitman
lurks nearby. And death will surely come. The list of those wanting vengeance
has reached its peak, but the Bible says that “God will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear.”

Take one last roller coaster ride with the Shaw
and Devereux families. Will there be rest for these souls?

Guest
Post

Sequels,
Sagas, and Trilogies…Oh, My!

You’ve
written your best work and the reading world will love the masterpiece. Like a
crafty writer, your brain has already worked plot-points and scenarios for a
fantastic sequel. Then there’s a “creative brain explosion” and your mind has
conjured up an outline of a three book, four book,–no wait–a five book series.

The upside of writing a
series:

After completing the first book, a writer has
bonded with their characters. Choosing to write one an additional book or more
will intensify character development. These characters become real and readers
feel a connection and in a sense it makes the plot–all the pain the characters go
through–even more explosive. As the author of the Shaw
Family Saga, I’ve come to love and connect with my
characters. Fans and bloggers have commented on how real the characters seem. Even by the last book, I’ve gotten
reviews about grown with the characters.

Readers are loyal. When they find an author
that they love, they scour the
internet–or the back flap of a novel–to find out more about said author.
Hooking a “bookworm” with the first in a series can lead to a lifetime
relationship, meaing increased book sales.

Trilogies are often paused on cliffhangers–it
is a form of enticement to continue on to the next story. Readers love books
that stir their emotions. A good story can stay on a readers’ mind long after
they’ve turned the last page of the book. We’ve all seen those reviews that say
“can’t wait for the next one!” (Caution, if the plot points are developed
incorrectly this is also a con, which will be noted on the “downside” of
writing a series.)

There is a potential for increased interaction
with fans. Venting and praising in the form of reviews are a bookworm’s go-to.
Authors get a chance to learn what fans may or may not have liked. This can
lead to interaction by engaging on social media. For example, having a
Facebook/ Twitter event where the readers can say what they would like to see
happen next. Be creative, and listen to what fans have to say. It will spark
ideas or potential changes in a story that you hadn’t even known was possible.

Brand–it’s a big word in the publishing world.
Being known as the author of the “Hunger Games” series or the [insert the first
famous epic author at the top of your head here] really solidifies a brand and
increases the word-of-mouth aspect of marketing that helps authors sell, sell,
sell.

The downside of writing a
trilogy

Time can be the biggest issue. Sagas are
usually written over an extended period of time. While writing the subsequent
stories, I had to continuously revert to the previous book(s). And for those
stories that have even more in a series, being consistent throughout is
important.

Another issue with consistency is that novelist
must edit their work. Editting… what a no-brainer! Sometimes scenes have been
cut out or added in and it’s easy to forget. A writer has the unedited version
of a story in their memory–and if done right– the readers have the fully edited
story that has been prepped for consistency and flow. So toggling back and
forth from stories or having a chapter outline is key.

Continuing the story with different segments
must be done with “refresher information” in between to ensure
cross-consistency. It takes a creative novelist to determine how much back
story or “refresher information” to add in the next read. So new fans can be in
‘the know’ and old fans aren’t bored.

Through researching different sites, many
readers complain about overly-developed first stories. We get it, book one sets
the stage for the entire series. But, creating a new world and a hundred pages
of the novel can be highlighted as purely setting is a no-no. Or there’s an
arsenal of characters in the story that have a back story–adding another fifty
pages. While focusing on just these two parts of a novel, the author hasn’t
even developed an interesting plot, leading to slow introduction book.

The author decides to spoon feed the reader
sets of plotlines. Without juicy webs of tension, the reader is caught in a
tangle of sticky never-ending webs. Based on readers’ comments, if plotlines
are being opened, opened, opened, they may just set the book aside or rant in
the form of a review because nothing is being resolved. This is an epic fail.

To write a sequel, saga, or trilogy, the
choice is yours

Whether
you choose to write a standalone or you’re in it for the long haul, there are
many pieces of the puzzle to take into perspective. Outlined above are a
few–subjective–reasons to continue on the road to a saga or not. What are some
other ideas you can think of before taking the plunge? Don’t introduce a
problem in book one with no intention of ending it until book three. Keep in
mind, it’s a big job. Have flash cards of very important points available for
each book so you can cross reference. You don’t want to weave a stick web of
never-ending plot.

Excerpt

“I
did it,” Royael smiled up at Cassidy. For the fourth time, she rubbed her hands
together and placed them behind her back in order to stop the finger twiddling
habit that her mom, Raven had.

“I know,” Cassidy patted the top of her head.

“Is Sadie coming over now? You don’t have to
watch us anymore.” Royael wanted Sadie back to babysit not this woman.

“We’ll just have to see what your father says,”
Cassidy replied, smothering the bread with peanut butter and jelly.

“Did you chill the glass for my milk?” Royael
asked in her bossy tone.

“Uh-I forgot.”

That’s
why I need Sadie! “You said
after I told dad that Tyriq met mom at the mall, Sadie could come back! I want
Sadie.” She went off just like she’d seen her friend Kimberly do when wanting
to go home from the party. She’d never been one for a fall on the floor tantrum
type. But she’d taken her mom’s suggestion and worn her only pair of jeans
today–old ones. She’d fall out if need be. When Cassidy didn’t respond, that’s
exactly what she did.

Royael tugged and pulled. Her nose was crushed,
and she couldn’t breathe.

“Will you wait?”

She nodded vigorously.

With a smile, Cassidy took her hand away. “Give
me a hug, Royael.”

Snail paced, Royael got off the floor and moved
toward her. She didn’t want to, because the last time Cassidy had held her in a
bear hug so tight it took her breath. Now she was just recovering from the
woman’s smothering, but Royael put a smile on her face and hugged her.

“You want Sadie to come back and babysit and
play. You want it to be just you and Jon and Sadie; right? NOT RAVEN!”

Royael nodded, eating up Cassidy’s realities.
It was exactly what she wanted. “Yes, me and Daddy and Sadie to babysit.”

“So you need to be a good girl. When he comes
home, you can ask if it’s okay for Sadie to come over.”

“I thought you said she could stay? She could
babysit me forever? You said Daddy would leave Mommy after finding out that
she’s still friends with Uncle Ty! You said they’d get a device.” I don’t know why they can’t be friends, but
I have to get Sadie back! And Daddy all to myself.

“Divorce
not device. But yes. I did.” Cassidy took Royael’s face in her hand. She rubbed
at the tears. “There there, dear child. Your father loves you. One day, you
won’t have to worry about Raven bothering you anymore. But for now, just wait
till Jon gets home. Andddd?”

“I remember, Cassidy. I can’t mention that you
helped.” Royael said with her eyes wide. Every time Cassidy finished their
conversation with the long-winded word as if she didn’t remember how to keep a
secret.

“Yes.” Cassidy nodded.

The sound of the monitor came on. Noah cried.
They ignored it.After a while Royael’s
baby brother would stop crying. He always stopped.

“How about until you see Sadie, you put make up
on my face?”

Royael held in her smile. “Okay, Cassidy.” I’ma make you look like a clown.

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